The nation Boy Scout oganization, which emphatically reaffirmed the no-gays policy just seven months ago, announced last Monday that it is considering a major change.
SPRINGFIELD – With the Boy Scouts of America poised to reconsider its ban on gays next week, area Scouting groups say ending the bitterly disputed policy would have no impact here.
David K. Kruse, scout executive for the Western Massachusetts Council of the Boy Scouts of America, said the council’s 200 units are not concerned with the sexual orientation of members or leaders.
David Kruse “It’s a non-issue,” said Kruse, whose organization serves 7,000 Scouts in the four western counties.
By policy, the council does not inquire into the sexual orientation of current or prospective members, youth or adult, Kruse said.
The chapter takes the position that questions of human sexuality are the responsibility of a member’s family, religious leader, physician or other qualified advisor, Kruse added.
The national Boy Scouts organization, which emphatically reaffirmed the no-gays policy just seven months ago, announced Monday that it is considering a major change.
Instead of mandatory exclusion of gays, the different religious and civic groups that sponsor Scout units would be able to decide for themselves how to address the issue - either maintaining the exclusion or opening up their membership.
The proposal is expected to be discussed, and possibly voted on, at a meeting of the Scouts’ national executive board next week in Texas.
Deron Smith, the Scouts’ national spokesman, declined comment on reports that the Scouts were taking a poll to gauge public sentiment on the controversy.
“When we receive calls we allow people to provide feedback, but if the board decides to address this topic, it will be about what is in the best interest of Scouting,” Smith said.
“Regardless of what people think about this issue, America needs Scouting.”
Many Scout units are sponsored by relatively conservative religious denominations - notably the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Southern Baptist churches.
Catholic and Mormon leaders have withheld official comment on the proposal, but Southern Baptist officials have criticized it.
But pressure has been mounting on the organization to lift the ban.
Two corporations - UPS Inc. and Merck & Co. - announced last year they were halting donations to the Scouts until the no-gays policy was changed.
For 2011, UPS donated more than $85,000 and Merck gave $30,000 to the BSA.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.